Hi all.. help needed!
Jul 18, 2016 at 7:01 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 11
nottsant

nottsant

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Hi, I have around 400-500 to spend on a portable set up.
 
I just wanted to know if a fiio x1 / x3 / x5 second gen is worth it over my iphone 6 (I presume yes!!).
 
I also want to purchase a set of headphones.. I currently like the sound of momentum 2.0 over ears that I recently demo'd, although I'm happy to listen to recommendations.
 
If the fiio DAP isn't worthwhile, then would adding a portable amp to the iphone be a better choice?
 
Sorry for all the questions, but struggling to demo any equipment and don't want to make a bad choice!
 
I'm on my hols next week so want to bring a noce setup with me to relax in the sun with!!
 
(my music taste is quite varied, and I like a fairly balanced sound.. ie. I like bass, but not in the boomy young squad!
 
Many thanks in advance, and thanks for having me on this forum! I hope to learn a lot!!!
 
Antony
 
Jul 18, 2016 at 7:45 AM Post #2 of 11
The dac/amp on smart phones these days are pretty adequate to drive portable cans, so if you want to get the most for your money, buy the best set of headphones you can. I normally don't like to recommend fad companies like bose, schiit, audioquest, audeze, oppo, and hifiman - but the bose qc25 is actually probably one of the best bang4buck portable cans atm. It's comfortable, has a good sound, and handsdown the best noise cancellation out there right now - and it's also got the vanity factor which does matter cus we are all human, as pathetic as it is. 
 
Otherwise Sennheiser makes the best headphones and is the only company even worth considering.
 
Jul 18, 2016 at 7:52 AM Post #4 of 11
nottsant said:
Thanks, so pass on the fiio and get a good set of cans then?

My original plan was an x5 ii and the momentum 2's.

Cheers again!
Click to expand...

yes tbh the iphone 6 with the momentum 2 should be just fine. You probably won't even notice any difference with a protable amp since the momentum 2's are not hard to drive as they are meant for portable use. I recommended the bose qc25 earlier, but i edited it because i still think the momentum 2 is better. 
 
Jul 18, 2016 at 8:00 AM Post #5 of 11
Thanks! Will have to try and put some lossless files on the iPhone and give it a try.

What are the advantages on getting something like a X11/3/5 over the iPhone? Or aren't there any? I'm new to these high res players! (If you can't tell!)
 
Jul 18, 2016 at 11:45 AM Post #6 of 11

Originally Posted by nottsant /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I just wanted to know if a fiio x1 / x3 / x5 second gen is worth it over my iphone 6 (I presume yes!!).
 
I also want to purchase a set of headphones.. I currently like the sound of momentum 2.0 over ears that I recently demo'd, although I'm happy to listen to recommendations.
Click to expand...

 
Whether it's an improvement depends mostly on whether the much better amplifier section on those player will even be utilized by your headphone. If all you're using is an IEM, the high sensitivity means you won't need a lot of power to get them louder, which means you won't get the audio chip into audible distortion. Add to that the isolation, which means you don't need to go very loud to overcome ambient noise. As long as the nominal impedance is 32ohms to 120ohms there wouldn't be a problem with that either.
 
 
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nottsant /img/forum/go_quote.gif
If the fiio DAP isn't worthwhile, then would adding a portable amp to the iphone be a better choice?
Click to expand...

 
That depends. It would make the phone thicker and you'll have a cable connecting them, would it still fit in your pocket then? A DAP at least won't need to be in the same pocket as the iPhone, but you have to rely on vibrations to be aware if there's a call coming through.
 
 
 
Jul 18, 2016 at 12:42 PM Post #7 of 11
Thanks, this is purely for my holiday so not worried about hearing my phone :)

I'm slightly leaning on the cheaper x3 ii and get a nice set of headphones. What would people recommend ? Is there better than the momentums to use with the x3 for around the 200-250 mark? Cheers for all the advice! Much appreciated!
 
Jul 18, 2016 at 2:09 PM Post #8 of 11
Right, due to time constraints I've plunged for the X3ii and 128gb card. This means I can keep the phone off on hol!

Looking at headphones for it, and realise I may be better with a higher ohm headphone than the momentum? What are people's feelings on the beyer dt770?

My budget is £200 - £250 and must be over ear type :)

Thanks
 
Jul 19, 2016 at 2:08 AM Post #9 of 11
nottsant said:
Right, due to time constraints I've plunged for the X3ii and 128gb card. This means I can keep the phone off on hol!

Looking at headphones for it, and realise I may be better with a higher ohm headphone than the momentum? What are people's feelings on the beyer dt770?
Click to expand...

 
If it's for a holiday then look into headphones that can fold into a more compact "ball" or folds flat. The DT770 is neither of those. Also, no need to really worry about the impedance as long as you're between 16ohms and 120ohms.
 
Look into the AKG K550MkII and the Focal Spirit Classic. Haven't tried the K550MkII but feedback on it says they addressed the complaints on the original. 
 
Jul 19, 2016 at 2:52 AM Post #10 of 11
Thanks, the only thing that puts me of the K550MkII is that they have a fixed cable and it's apparently quite long :frowning2:

Not too fussed about portability as I will also use a set of in ears. These are for sitting on the plane and maybe using them at the beach/poolside :)

Thanks again
 
Jul 19, 2016 at 8:34 AM Post #11 of 11
Quote:
nottsant said:


Thanks, the only thing that puts me of the K550MkII is that they have a fixed cable and it's apparently quite long
frown.gif
Click to expand...

 
The K551 has a shorter cable but there's no new version yet; it sounds a lot like the original K550, but with a remote cable and only 3.5mm on it.
 
 
Quote:
nottsant said:


Not too fussed about portability as I will also use a set of in ears. These are for sitting on the plane and maybe using them at the beach/poolside 
smily_headphones1.gif
Click to expand...
 

I was thinking you'd use them in your hotel room. I wouldn't really use anything but IEMs on the plane or poolside for a couple of reasons. First off, the noise - going around your head doesn't get a headband to seal your ear as well as an IEM tip in your ear canal. Second, on the beach or poolside, if you slip into the pool water will get into them; the seal in your ear canals minimizes the possibility of this for IEMs. On top of all that, when you're not using them, IEMs will more easily fit in your pocket.
 
If you already have an IEM that you like you might as well just use that and save money.
 
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